MHA sets up separate desk to deal with PFI

A separate unit has been set up by the Union Home Ministry to deal with the Kerala based-Popular Front of India (PFI) activities. The decision was taken following intelligence inputs that the Islamic group was involved in several anti-India activities including carrying violent incidents across India over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

New Delhi:The Union Home Ministry has set up a separate unit to deal with the activities of Kerala based-Popular Front of India (PFI). The decision was taken following intelligence inputs that the Islamic group was involved in several anti-India activities including carrying violent incidents across India over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Sources said that senior officials in the Home Ministry and other intelligence agencies will look into the activities and sources of funding that the PFI has been receiving for the last several years.

Earlier in the day, Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a sealed report to MHA pointing PFI's alleged connection with several top politicians of AAP and Congress.

Following the report, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla called an emergency security meeting with home ministry officials and top brass of ED, NIA and other central law enforcing agencies to review the matter. Sources close to the matter said that the ministry is also considering a ban on PFI.

This assumes significance following the fact that Uttar Pradesh and Assam governments have already written to the Home Ministry asking for a ban on PFI. "This decision will be taken after consultations with all the state governments," sources said. Last year, the Uttar Pradesh government arrested 100 odd PFI activists on charges of instigating violence. As many as 20 people have died in anti-CAA related violence in UP.

Meanwhile, talking to ETV Bharat, Senior leader of Communist Party of India (CPI) Atul Kumar Anjan accused the central government of using all government agencies to suppress the opposition especially ahead of the Delhi election. "This is just a tactic to target the opposition. If the government is concerned why have they not taken any action 10 days earlier or after five days? It is a pre-planned strategy that they have sent a report to the Home Ministry just before the election in Delhi." Anjan said.

Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Anjan said, "Prime Minister has four hands. His two hands remain busy for other activities and remaining two hands control ED and CBI...they always remain alert when and where to attack the opposition leaders." He said that the government can't suppress the opposition by using central force and its agencies.

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